Van Ardi Tor-Tori White 2023

A high-altitude white where Voskehat reveals the light, freshness and aromatic delicacy of Aragatsotn.

Tor-Tori White pays tribute to Voskehat, one of Aragatsotn’s emblematic white varieties. For Van Ardi, the wine is a way of revealing the finesse of a grape deeply rooted in Armenia’s viticultural heritage. The 2023 vintage comes from very old vines, some between 80 and 100 years old, grown in Sasunik’s rocky volcanic soils at around 1,050 metres above sea level. Temperature-controlled fermentation is followed by 25 days of aging in French oak, adding texture and depth without obscuring the character of the grape.

The nose reveals white flowers followed by honeyed melon, peach and apricot. Smooth and elegant on the palate, it combines generous fruit with a clear line of freshness. The oak remains restrained, contributing texture rather than overt wood character. The finish is fresh, delicate and lingering.

Founded in 2008 by Varuzhan Mouradian and his family, Van Ardi was born from a return to Armenian roots and a clear ambition: to help revive the country’s wine culture on the international stage. Based in Sasunik, in Aragatsotn, the estate’s vineyards sit at around 1,050 metres above sea level on south-southeast-facing slopes and rocky volcanic soils exceptionally rich in minerals. The dry, windy climate, with warm days and cool nights, encourages slow ripening and naturally vibrant freshness. Van Ardi follows certified-organic viticulture and a minimal-intervention approach, placing Armenia’s indigenous varieties — Areni, Haghtanak, Kakhet, Voskehat and Kangun — at the heart of its wines and allowing the character of the terroir to come through.